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INTRODUCTION 


Previous  to  the  year 
1800;  the  Legislature  of 
Massachusetts  held  its 
sessions  in  the  building 
at  the  head  of  State 
street,  where  the  Post 
Office  is  now  located. 
This  present  building 
was  commenced  in 
1795;  on  land  formerly 
belonging  to  Governor 
Hancock;  on  Beacon 
Hill;  and  fronting  the 
Common.  The  corner 
stone  was  drawn  to  the 
place  by  fifteen  white 
horses;  — fifteen  being 
then  the  number  of 
States  in  the  Union, — 


and  laid  with  Mason- 
ic honors,  by  Samuel 
Adams;  at  that  time 
Governor  of  Massa- 
chusetts. The  dome 
is  fifty  feet  in  diameter 
and  thirty  in  height. 
The  ascent  to  the 
dome  is  by  a winding 
staircase  of  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty-eight 
steps.  In  the  lower 
story  is  a fine  Statue  of 
Washington;  by  Chan- 
try, a celebrated  En- 
glish sculptor.  Over 
the  door  of  the  front 
entrance,  is  the  gilt 
eagle  that  formerly 


decorated  the  top  of  Beacon-Hill  Monument,  which  occupied 
the  ground  that  the  State  House  now  occupies.  Near  the  back 
door  are  four  large  slabs  also  taken  from  this  monument,  bearing 
| the  following  inscriptions : 


INSCRIPTIONS 


ON  THE  OLD  MONUMENT  ON  BEACON  HILL. 


“To  commemorate  that  train  of  events  which  led  to  the 
American  Revolution,  and  finally  secured  Liberty  and  Indepen- 
dence to  the  United  States,  this  column  is  erected,  by  the  volun- 
tary contribution  of  the  citizens  of  Boston,  MDCCXC. 

“ Stamp  Act  passed,  1765 — 'Repealed,  1766.  Board  of  Customs 
established,  1767.  British  troops  fired  upon  the  inhabitants  of 
Boston,  March  5,  1770.  Tea  Act  passed,  1773.  Tea  destroyed 
in  Boston,  Dec.  16.  Port  of  Boston  shut  and  guarded,  June  1, 

1774.  General  Congress  at  Philadelphia,  Sept.  4.  Provincial 
Congress  at  Concord,  Oct.  11.  Battle  of  Lexington,  April  19, 

1775.  Battle  of  Bunker’s  Hill,  June  17.  Washington  took  com- 
mand of  the  Army,  July  2.  Boston  evacuated,  March  17,  1776. 
Independence  declared  by  Congress,  July  4,  1776  — Hancock, 
President.  Capture  of  Hessians  at  Trenton,  Dec.  26.  Capture 
of  Hessians  at  Bennington,  Aug.  16,  1777.  Capture  of  British 
Army  at  Saratoga,  Oct.  17,  1777.  Alliance  with  France,  Feb.  6, 
1778.  Confederation  of  United  States  formed,  July  9.  Constitu- 
tion of  Massachusetts  formed,  1780  — Bowdoin,  President  of  the 
Convention.  Capture  of  the  British  Army  at  York,  Oct.  19, 1781. 
Preliminaries  of  Peace,  Nov.  30,  1782.  Definitive  Treaty  of 
Peace,  Sept.  10,  1783.  Federal  Constitution  formed,  Sept.  17, 
1787,  and  ratified  by  the  United  States,  1787  to  1790.  New 
Congress  assembled  at  New  York,  April  16,  1789.  Washington 
inaugurated  President,  April  30.  Public  Debts  funded,  Aug.  4, 
1790. 

“ Americans  ! while  from  this  eminence,  scenes  of  luxuriant 
fertility,  of  flourishing  commerce,  and  the  abodes  of  social  hap- 
$ piness  meet  your  view,  forget  not  those,  who,  by  their  exertions,  w 
H have  secured  to  you  these  blessings.”  M 

trnmm® - 


5 


NORTH  WINDOW. 


west  churc  h — Lynde  street. 
[$ee  page  7.] 


On  the  left,  is  Cambridgeport,  with  Old  Cambridge  in  the 
distance.  To  the  right  of  Cambridgeport,  is  East  Cambridge, 
with  its  extensive  Glass  Works,  which  can  be  distinguished  by 
their  tall  chimneys.  Directly  in  the  range  of  the  Glass  Works, 
is  the  McLean  Hospital,  for  the  Insane.  To  the  right  of  the 
Hospital,  (in  the  distance,)  stand  the  ruins  of  the  Ursuline  Con- 
vent, on  Mount  Benedict.  This  Convent  was  wantonly  demol-  & 
• ished  by  a mob,  in  the  month  of  August,  1834.  Let  the  eye  cross  w> 


6 


the  water,  (which  is  a part  of  Charles  River,)  directly  east  of  the  f 
Glass  Works,  to  where  stands  the  Massachusetts  State  Prison, 
which  is  a cluster  of  granite  buildings,  situated  in  Charlestown. 
The  principal  objects  in  this  town,  to  interest  a stranger,  are 
Bunker  Hill  Monument,  and  the  Navy  Yard.  The  former  was 


bowdoin-sq,uare  church — Bowdoin  Square. 
[ See  page  7.] 


begun  in  1824,  (the  corner-stone  being  laid  by  LaFayette,)  and, 
after  encountering  numerous  obstacles,  was  completed  in  1842  3 
it  is  two  hundred  and  twenty  feet  high,  and  stands  upon  the 
battle-field  of  the  first  important  conflict  of  the  Revolution  5 
strangers  visiting  this  neighborhood,  should  not  fail  of  paying  a 
visit  to  this  consecrated  ground.  The  Navy  Yard  is  to  the  right 


7 


of  the  Monument,  and  can  be  easily  distinguished  by  its  Ship 
Houses,  under  which  stand  some  of  the  largest  ships  of  the 
American  Navy.  This  Naval  Depot  is  worthy  of  especial  notice, 
and  cannot  fail  to  repay  a visit.  Its  stupendous  specimens  of 
naval  architecture  5 its  massive  Dry  Dock,  (where  ships  of  the 
largest  class  can  be  repaired,)  with  its  Steam  Pumps  attached  3 
together  with  the  Park  of  Artillery,  Rope  Walk,  &c.,  are  truly 
worthy  of  inspection.  In  the  back  ground  of  the  Navy  Yard,  is 
the  town  of  Chelsea ; and  to  the  right  of  that,  in  the  distance, 
is  Lynn.  [See  East  Window.]  In  Boston,  on  the  left,  the  most 
prominent  object  which  strikes  the  eye,  is  a large  granite  building, 
which  is  the  Massachusetts  General  Hospital.  The  church  to 
the  right  of  that,  fronting  the  spectator,  is  the  u West  Church,7; 
(better  known  as  Dr.  LowelPs,)  on-Lynde  street.  The  two  large 
buildings  seen  directly  over  Dr.  LowelPs  Church,  are  the  Ware- 
houses and  Depot  connected  with  the  Boston  and  Lowell  Rail- 
road. Nearer  the  spectator,  to  the  right  of  Dr.  LowelPs,  is  seen 
the  spires  of  u Grace  Church/7  one  of  the  most  beautiful  churches 
in  Boston  5 directly  in  front  of  Grace  Church,  in  Bowdoin  street, 
is  seen  the  Bowdoin-street  Church,  where  Dr.  Beecher  formerly 
preached  5 to  the  right  of  that,  is  the  Bowdoin-square  Baptist 
Church.  In  the  rear  of  the  latter,  is  seen  the  National  Theatre. 
On  the  extreme  right,  the  church  with  a high  steeple,  is  11  Christ 
Church/7  in  Salem  street.  This  church  contains  a set  of  chime- 
bells,  the  music  of  which  is  truly  delightful  5 it  is  situated  near  to 
“ Copp7s  Hill/7  celebrated  in  the  history  of  Boston.  On  this  hill 
can  be  found  the  tomb  of  the  famous  Increase  and  Cotton  Mather. 
The  bridges,  &c.,  are,  beginning  on  the  left,  Charles-river  Bridge, 
leading  to  Cambridgeport  5 Cragie’s  Bridge,  to  East  Cambridge  5 
Boston  and  Lowell  Railroad}  and  the  Warren  and  Charlestown 
Bridges  5 the  two  latter  are  owned  by  the  State,  and  at  present 
(1843)  are  subject  to  a toll. 


EAST  WINDOW. 


old  south  church — Corner  Washington  and  Milk  streets. 

[ See  page  9.  ] 

From  this  window,  we  have  the  Harbor,  with  its  Forts,  Islands, 
Wharves,  and  Shipping.  The  island  in  front,  is  known  by  the 
name  of  East  Boston,  formerly  Williams’  Island.  The  large 
brick  building,  is  the  Sugar  Refinery,  which  is  a very  extensive  con- 
cern, employing  about  one  hundred  men,  who,  by  the  assistance 
of  steam,  are  enabled  to  make  four  thousand  loaves  of  sugar 
daily.  To  the  left  of  the  Sugar  House,  stands  a large  hotel,  called 
L the  Maverick  House.  To  the  right  of  the  Sugar  House,  is  the  ( 
\ Depot  of  the  Eastern  Railroad  5 and  still  further  to  the  right  of  J 
§#H> — - — — — 


9 


J that,  is  the  Cunard  Wharf,  where  the  British  line  of  Steam  Packets 
are  moored.  The  first  island,  on  the  right,  is  Governor's  Island, 
on  which  is  Fort  Warren  5 to  the  right  of  that,  is  Fort  Indepen- 
dence, on  Castle  Island.  [See  South  Window.]  In  Boston  we 
have,  a little  left  of  a front  view,  Faneuil  Hall,  and  directly  be- 
tween that  and  the  water,  is  Faneuil-Hall  Market.  These  two 
buildings  are  worthy  of  a special  visit  ; the  former  from  its  asso- 
ciation with  the  Revolution,  being  the  “ Cradle  of  Liberty," 
and  likewise  the  armorys  of  the  different  military  companies  in 
the  City;  and  the  latter  for  its  neatness  and  regularity,  in  every 
particular.  The  building  nearer  the  spectator,  to  the  right  of  the 
Market,  with  a gilded  dome,  is  the  City  Hall.  To  the  left  of 
City  Hall,  is  the  Court  House,  which  is  a beautiful  granite  build- 
ing. This  building  is  so  capacious,  that  at  times  eight  Courts 
are  all  in  session,  without  interfering  with  one  another.  The 
new  Custom  House  is  seen  directly  over  the  Court  House;  it  is 
located  on  India  street,  between  Long  and  Central  wharves  ; it 
is  built  of  Quincy  granite,  and  is  said  to  be  the  most  beautiful 
and  substantial  building  in  the  country.  The  Church,  nearest  the 
spectator,  is  the  “Old  South,"  at  the  corner  of  Milk  and  Washing- 
ton streets.  During  the  Revolution  the  pews  of  this  church  were 
taken  out  and  used  for  fuel  by  the  British  soldiers,  and  the  build- 
ing itself  converted  into  a riding  school  for  the  dragoons  belong- 
ing to  Burgoyne's  army.  To  the  right  of  City  Hall,  nearer  the 
spectator,  is  the  Tremont  House,  and  directly  in  front  of  that,  is 
the  Tremont  Theatre ; a little  to  the  right  of  the  Theatre,  is  the 
Boston  Museum,  which  is  richly  worth  a day's  time  to  visit,  being 
stored  with  rare  and  valuable  Paintings,  Sculpture,  specimens  of 
Natural  History,  and  objects  of  curiosity  from  all  parts  of  the 
world ; and  is  allowed  by  all  who  have  visited  it,  and  who  have 
had  opportunities  for  judging,  to  be  the  most  splendid  and  taste- 
fully arranged  establishment  of  the  kind  to  be  found  in  any 
country. 


10 


SOUTH  WINDOW. 


F E d e r A l-s  treet  churc h — Federal  street. 

[ See  page  12.] 

The  view  from  this  window  is  most  beautiful,  On  the  left  we 
have  the  Bay  in  all  its  beauty.  Castle  Island  and  Fort  Indepen- 
dence can  be  seen,  directly  over  the  spire  of  a church,  (Federal- 
street  Church,)  with  its  granite  walls  not  yet  completed.  To 
the  right,  on  a long  island,  (Thompson's  Island,)  is  the  Farm 
School,  belonging  to  the  City,  where  any  person  can  place  their 
boys  at  school,  and  have  them  labor  upon  a farm  during  a certain 


mmm 


11 


number  of  hours  in  a day.  A melancholy  acciddnt  happened  to  \ 
this  establishment  in  the  Spring  of  184 2,  caused  by  the  upsetting 
of  a boat,  by  which  twenty-three  boys  and  two  men  were  drowned. 
Directly  in  front  of  this  Island,  in  South  Boston,  stand  the  City 
Prisons,  being  the  Houses  of  Correction,  Reformation,  Industry, 
&c.  To  the  right,,  on  a hill,  is  the  Blind  Asylum.  Thomas  H. 


trinity  c h u r c H-— Summer  street. 

[$ee  page  13.] 

Perkins,  Esq.,  some  years  since  gave  to  this  institution  an  elegant 
estate  in  Pearl  street,  which  was  afterwards  exchanged  for  this 
more  airy  and  commodious  establishment,  which  is  situated  on 
one  of  the  hills,  that  was  fortified  by  order  of  Washington,  dur-  . 
1 ing  the  occupation  of  Boston  by  the  British  3 the  eminence  is  \ 
5 now  known  by  the  name  of  Mount  Washington,  and  the  Asylum  | 


12 


was  formerly  known  as  the  Mount-Washington  House.  The 
breast-works  upon  the  hills  are  still  remaining.  In  the  back- 
ground is  Quincy,  the  residence  of  the  venerable  John  Q.  Adams. 
The  town  to  the  right,  is  Dorchester,  and  to  the  right  of  Dorches- 
ter, is  Roxbury.  The  Boston  and  Providence  Railroad,  and  the 
Boston  and  Worcester  Railroad,  cross  each  other  in  the  open 


hollis-street  churc h — Hollis  street. 

[ See  page  13.  ] 

marsh  on  the  right  ; the  Providence  Railroad  runs  directly  from 
the  spectator.  In  Boston,  the  church  on  the  extreme  left,  is  Fed- 
eral-street Church,  where  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Channing  formerly 
preached.  The  church  close  to  the  spectator,  is  Park-street  < 
Church ; and,  to  the  right  of  that,  on  the  same  street,  is  the  1 
Masonic  Temple,  which  is  the  rough  granite  building.  To  the  \ 
— 


13 


S left  of  Park-street  Church,  is  seen  “Trinity  Church/7  which  is 
a rough  granite  edifice,  built  in  the  massive  Gothic  style.  A 
little  to  the  right  of  Trinity,  is  Rev.  Mr.  Young's  Church,  (where 
the  late  President  Kirkland  formerly  preached,)  on  Church 
Green,  in  the  same  street  5 to  the  right  of  that,  is  Chauncey-place 
Church,  which  belongs  to  the  oldest  religious  society  in  Boston. 
Directly  over  a red  brick  turret,  (Essex-street  Church,)  is  to  be 
seen  the  Depot  of  the  Boston  and  Worcester  and  Western  Rail- 
road 3 this  is  easily  seen  by  its  extensive  roof.  The  large  brick 
building  to  the  north  of  the  Depot,  is  the  United  States  Hotel, 
which  is  the  largest  in  the  City.  The  church  to  the  right  of 
Essex-street  Church,  is  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pierpont's  Church,  in  Hollis 
street.  The  Common,  directly  beneath  the  spectator's  eye, 
contains  about  fifty  acres.  To  the  further  right-hand  corner,  is 
the  Depot  of  the  Boston  and  Providence  Railroad, 


14 


WEST  WINDOW. 


charles-street  churc h — Charles  street. 


The  bridge  in  front,  is  called  the  Western  Avenue.  Previous 
to  the  building  of  the  bridge,  which  is  entirely  solid,  all  the  low 
lands  to  the  south  of  it  were  overflowed  by  tide,  with  as  much 
water  as  there  is  now  on  the  north  side.  A great  many  houses 
are  now  built  upon  the  land  so  reclaimed.  The  buildings  on^the 
left  of  the  further  end  of  the  Avenue,  are  known  by  the  name 
of  the  City  Mills.  The  building  directly  in  front,  in  Boston, 
with  a glass  dome,  is  the  Conservatory  belonging  to  the  Public 
Garden,  and  is  w'orthy  a visit.  The  wrater  in  front,  is  Charles 
River.  Cambridgeport  is  on  the  right.  The  church  in  front,  is 
J the  Charles-street  Baptist  Church,  wfliere  the  Rev.  Dr.  Sharp 
l preaches. 


U n 


